Ben White 'left England camp due to rift with assistant Steve Holland'

Reports have emerged that Ben White's self-imposed exile from the England squad was due to a rift with assistant coach Steve Holland.

The Arsenal defender left the England camp early during the 2022 World Cup, but in-depth details regarding why he departed were not revealed.

A statement from the Football Association said that White was to leave the camp due to «personal reasons» just after England's 3-0 group stage win over Wales, and would not return for the rest of the tournament.

White has not been selected for England duty since, despite being part of the Premier League's strongest defence this season at Arsenal.

When naming his squad for March's internationals, manager Gareth Southgate went on record to say that White has asked not to be considered for selection for the foreseeable future.

Details have now reportedly emerged as to why, as The Telegraph claim that a falling out occurred with Southgate's assistant Holland while the squad were in Qatar for the World Cup.

It is stated that during a conversation between Holland and Kyle Walker, the assistant posed a question to the Manchester City defender about their performances that season.

Holland then asked a similar question to White about Arsenal, to which the player did not know the answer.

The assistant then jibed in front of other members of the squad that his inability to answer was due to his lack of interest in football.

White has gone on record in the past and stated that he does not follow football closely in his personal life, and sees the sport more as a career rather than a hobby.

Speaking to Sky Sports in 2021, White revealed: «I never watched football when I was younger, still don't now.

»I just loved the game, I was always playing it, never watching